123I-FP-CIT semi-quantitative SPECT detects preclinical bilateral dopaminergic deficit in early Parkinsonʼs disease with unilateral symptoms

Abstract

Our results indicate that semi-quantitative 123I-FP-CIT SPECT detects a bilateral dopaminergic deficit in early PD with unilateral symptoms and preclinical DAT loss in the ipsilateral striatal binding, corresponding to the side not yet affected by motor signs. Semi-quantitative analysis may thus be used to diagnose PD at an early stage as well as to identify individuals developing bilateral dopaminergic damage.